Mitt Romney: Post-Modern Stand-up Comic

My pre-teen encounter with post-modern comedy came when I went to summer camp with Andy Kaufman in 1960. We were both 11. Though our time together lasted but a few days -- he freaked out and his parents had to fetch him home -- Andy's astounding Elvis impersonation at a talent show left an indelible impression. After the show, he stayed in character so convincingly I couldn't tell if he was serious or zany. It took me years to understand that he was both.

Differentiating Mitt Romney's intended jokes from his sincere utterings can also be viewed through the lens of post-modern comedy. Can you tell which are which among the following Top 40? (All but one or two are direct Mitt-statements -- see links to locate the exceptions.)

1. I've always been a rodent and rabbit hunter. Small varmints, if you will.

2. I'm not familiar precisely with what I said, but I'll stand by what I said, whatever it was.

3. The grass is the right color for this time of year, kind of a brownish-greenish sort of thing.

4. No one's ever asked to see my birth certificate.

5. [M]y job is not to worry about [the 47%]. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.

6. Corporations are people, my friend.

7. I should tell my story. I'm also unemployed.

8. I like being able to fire people who provide services to me.

9. I'll take a lot of credit for this (auto) industry's come back.

10. My sons have chosen not to serve in the military...[they] are showing support for our nation [by] helping me get elected.